The Pilar Chapel is an example of the predominant and most characteristic architectural style of Santiago de Compostela. It is one of the two chapels that exist in the Galician capital that carry the title of the Virgin of Pilar (the second is located in the Cathedral of Santiago itself).
The temple, of baroque style and dating from the eighteenth century, is located in the vicinity of the Alameda compostelana, in the middle of this popular green area of the city that is integrated between the urban and old town.
For this reason, it is a building that arouses great interest from pedestrians and walkers, as it is a point with an important influx of tourists, neighbors and potential visitors.
According to the records, at the time when the relics of Saint Susanna were deposited in the Cathedral, the parish functions of that temple passed to the Church of the Pilar.
From the structural point of view, the building has a nave and a Latin cross plan with a transept and presbytery. The walls are of granite masonry and it has a tile gable roof.
All these elements are very present in the religious monuments of this type scattered throughout the city of Compostela.
In general, the building is characterized by its sobriety, although it has some elements worth contemplating during your visit. Among them are the two towers of its façade, admired by the parishioners since its foundation in 1717.
In addition, it highlights the figure and image of the Virgin, which serves as the main ornament of the temple. It has a niche in the shape of a scallop shell, which is located above the doorway.
Inside, there is an image of a polychrome Christ, the work of the sculptor Cástor Lata, from Compostela. The Pilar Chapel is not open for tourist visits, but it is open as a regular place of worship for the residents of the neighborhood.
